Dear Best Friend,

Lately, I’ve realized that I don’t thank you enough for all that you do, and you deserve to know how special, appreciated and irreplaceable you are! There aren’t enough words in the world to describe everything I am thankful for when it comes to you, but this letter is worth a shot. Whelp here goes nothing….

Thank you for allowing me to follow you to your favorite school and for allowing me to run on the same team as you for a couple more years. Thank you for allowing me to tag along to Nashville for your peer educator job and letting me continue to work with you afterward. I got a lot more involved on campus because of you, and I probably would have enjoyed my time at NKU even less if you weren’t here with me. My experience here definitely would not have been the same without you.

Thank you for taking care of me when I got sick and couldn’t get out of bed, and thank you for being my mom's best friend when I wouldn’t answer my phone. I’m sure she also thanks you for being my “mother away from home” for a little while!

Thanks for putting up with being my roommate for a year and a half, because I know for a fact I am not an easy person to live with, but you dealt with it really well, and we didn’t kill each other, so that has to mean something! One of our biggest things living together was that I’d leave my stuff all over the living room… we both agree that everything has a place; I just believe that a lot of my stuff happens to belong all over the dorm, and you think it all belongs in my bedroom (you may have a fair point). In my defense, I take my shoes on and off at the front door, so I mean, in my head it makes sense that I have seven pairs there! (Ok, maybe I see where you’re coming from.)

Thank you for accompanying me to parties and nights out when I know sometimes you would have rather been sleeping. You’re always down for a random sushi date, especially during the stress of finals week, which comes in handy when I’m craving it late at night and can’t sleep (which is always). You’re also always there with some Fiji water, a dark chocolate candy bar, wine and a movie marathon when I need a shoulder to lean on and life gets rough, which says a lot about the kind of person you are.

You are a spectacular person, and I am so lucky to have been able to claim you as my best friend and my person for the past few years. I’ve enjoyed being able to be by your side while you overcome obstacles, challenge yourself and accomplish everything that you have thus far. You are capable of so many amazing things, and I’m excited to see what your future holds! No matter where life takes us, whether we’re 5 miles apart or 1,000 miles apart, I know I will always have a friend in you. Thank you so much for always believing in me, never doubting me and for being real with me when no one else would be. I would not be the individual I am today if it weren’t for you.

So again, thank you for allowing me to join you in college, and thank you for understanding that it is time for me to embark on my own journey to a different school. We may be taking different paths, but we’ll always cross again. Can’t wait for all of our future beach trips, New York getaways and road trips! When you need a mimosa, sushi run, coffee trip or wedding planning date, you know where to find me :)

It’s not goodbye; it’s a see you soon.

I love you so much!

Your forever friend <3